Idalia is stronger and closer to Florida’s Big Bend

Tonight:  Cloudy with tropical rain bands, some locally heavy.  The wind will start picking up late tonight with gusts around 15 to 20 mph, especially along I-75.  Isolated thunderstorms will be possible across northeast Florida.

Wednesday:  Tropical Impacts!  Tropical Storm and Hurricane force wind gusts will be possible near and along I-75 as early as sunrise.  These conditions will move to Highway 301/US1 around 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.  The worst conditions will be between noon and 5 p.m.  Locally heavy bands of rain, strong wind gusts and possible tornadoes will be the main hazards.  Rain and wind will slowly end after 8 p.m.  Keep a watchful eye on this changing and strengthening storm.

Here is what to expect based on the current storm track:

Sunrise through 9 a.m., making landfall along the Big Bend, near Taylor County.

9 a.m. through 11 a.m., Rain and storms, some locally heavy from Highway 301/US1 to the Big Bend and SE GA west of US 1.  Tornadoes possible.

Noon through 5 p.m., Locally heavy rainfall, very windy, possible tornadoes from Highway 301/US1 east to I-95 and the beaches.

6 p.m. through 10 p.m., Improving conditions, less wind and rain.  I expect to see the current warnings expire as Idalia weakens and moves into the Carolinas.

Looking ahead:  Drier days will follow Idalia.  Near seasonal temperatures with isolated showers and thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday.

Sunrise: 7:02 am

Sunset: 7:53 pm

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